The Ninth Love of the Male Lead

Bai Yan is the top gong in the campus manga *The Unattackable Him*. With a dark childhood, he is reckless and ruthless—until he meets the protagonist shou and finds redemption. Before that, Bai Yan had 18 relationships. Luo Jia transmigrates into the story during Bai Yan's most unhinged high school years. As the target of a bet, he becomes the 9th partner, destined to die and become a fleeting footnote in Bai Yan's life. The system tells Luo Jia that completing his assigned storyline will grant him rebirth. So, he studies the manga diligently, striving to be the perfect tool character. Luckily, Bai Yan treats his 9th partner—just as in the manga—with indifference. Until that day. Luo Jia dies on a snowy night. When he wakes again, he’s a college freshman. Rumors say that after his death, Bai Yan not only wrecked the memorial but erased every trace of Luo Jia’s existence, as if he never existed. Luo Jia laments his mediocre acting—the original 9th partner at least got a grave and was remembered as a "friend." Why was his presence wiped away like a grudge? Still, he’s alive now. Best to let exes stay in the past. Later, at a freshman assembly, Bai Yan—now the student representative—spots him. His speech slips from his fingers, eyes red, as if gazing at an impossibly fragile dream. Soon after starting school, Luo Jia’s family sets him up on a blind date. The moment his name is mentioned, the other party refuses. The reason? He looks too much like their "first love," making him potential rebound material. Curious, Luo Jia asks for their name. The answer: Bai Yan. Luo Jia chokes on his water. *What first love? I was your 9th fling, dude!* --- Gentle Academic x Savage Overlord *The bottom is the top's ideal type. The top's calm facade hides turmoil. Male marriage is legal.* **[Note]:** Before meeting the bottom, the top's *first hand-hold, first kiss, all firsts*—are intact. No further questions. Explanations await in the story.